Don Hasseltine passed away January 27th peacefully at home in Scottsdale, Arizona surrounded by his wife and family.
Don was a pivotal and well-known figure in the world of Bakery Packaging. After graduating from High School in Vermont he joined the Air Force and served as an Air Traffic Controller in Maine. Upon his discharge from the Air Force, Don attended the University of Vermont on the GI Bill and obtained a BS degree in Engineering, graduating at the top of his class. He started his packaging career selling potato bags in Maine for the Kordite Company and became part of the Bread Bag manufacturing innovations for Mobil Chemical Co, Macedon NY, in the 60’s and 70’s, as Bakers moved into Plastic from wax paper. As General Manager for Mobil, Don oversaw a rapid growth in bread packaging and snack cake packaging. He was also instrumental in the transition from cellophane to polypropylene and managed the development of the polypropylene Twinkie over wrap.
After a successful career at Mobil, Don formed a bakery brokerage firm, DH Associates in 1979. With his partner and other associates, DH Associates became the largest Broker/Distributor of Bakery Bread Bags in the United States. He was a well-known figure in the industry and was well respected for his business acumen, and competitive nature.
“Papa” will be remembered by his grandchildren and family for his love for the St. Lawrence River. He spent 34 summers at Cherry Island in Alexandria Bay where he enjoyed the beauty of the river and love of family & friends. He was also seen on occasion enjoying a cigar…which became his trademark.
He is survived by His wife Bonnie Dawn, and children Cheryl(Wayne) Harding, Frank (Stephanie) Hasseltine, Dan (Sue) Bailey, Scott(Kris)Scofield, Patricia(Jeremy) Durand, 9 grandchildren , many other family members and his long , time business partner Joe Madigan.
Friends and family are asked to gather this 4th of July for a celebration of Don’s life in the Thousand Islands
Source: American Bakers Association
